Rennovia develops bio-based nylon

Rennovia Inc. says it has developed a 100 percent bio-based nylon.The Menlo Park, Calif., company has bio-based hexamethylenediamine that when combined with its previously announced renewable adipic acid technology allows production of fully bio-based nylon 66.The new nylon is suited to automotive applications where its heat resistance is valued as well as in various fiber end-uses.In addition to nylon 66, HMDA is an intermediate in polyurethanes, especially in high-value coatings.

The new version of HMDA is made from renewable feedstocks, according to Rennovia.“Practicing our HMDA process at demonstration scale is the important next milestone for the company,” states Rennovia President and CEO Robert Wedinger. Rennovia predicts the new HDMA technology will cost less than conventional, petroleum-based production.Rennovia estimates more than 3 billion pounds of HMDA per year is now made from petroleum-based propylene and budadiene and is worth more than $4 billion.Tel. 650-804-7411, email info@rennovia.com.